Urvi Shah
Author, Beyond the Matches
With IPL coming to an end, international cricket has opened its doors. On 27th November 2020, RSA and ENG played their first T20I at Capetown.
It was a bright sunny day. A much-awaited match for the fans as their favorite IPL players were now donning their country colors and were about to face each other. England won the toss and opted to bowl first.
South Africa was all set to take up the challenge and put up a good total on the board. However, they lost their first wicket early on in the game. Quinton de Kock (30 runs in 23 balls) and Faf du Plessis (58 runs in 40 balls) built a good partnership. Van der Dussen (37 runs in 28 balls) was another key player who contributed to setting up a good total on the board. Sam Curran (4-0-28-3) bowled exceptionally and picked up the highest number of wickets for this game. The bowling unit of England put up a good fight. However, South Africa’s batting unit was successful in setting up a total of 179/6 in 20 overs. England needed 180 runs to win this game.
England with its destructive top-order did not have its plans executed well. The bowling unit got an upper hand and put them on a backfoot. With George Linde and Lungi Ngidi picking up early wickets, it was Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes (37 runs in 27 balls) who took the team through. Bairstow’s unbeaten 86 was the crucial knock and the game-changing one. Their big guns did not fire but a few players did their job well and stood up to the occasion.
England won the match and went 1-0 in the series.
To watch the highlights, click the link below.